Cortical Activity Underlying Gait Improvements Achieved With Dopaminergic Medication During Usual Walking and Obstacle Avoidance in Parkinson Disease

Author(s)

Orcioli-Silva, Diego ; Vitorio, Rodrigo ; Nobrega-Sousa, Priscila ; Beretta, Victor Spiandor ; da Conceicao, Nubia Ribeiro ; Oliveira, Anderson Souza ; Pereira, Marcelo Pinto ; Bucken Gobbi, Lilian Teresa

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NEUROREHABILITATION AND NEURAL REPAIR; v. 35, n. 5, p. 13-pg., 2021-03-23.

Abstract

Background Dopaminergic medication improves gait in people with Parkinson disease (PD). However, it remains unclear if dopaminergic medication modulates cortical activity while walking. Objective We investigated the effects of dopaminergic medication on cortical activity during unobstructed walking and obstacle avoidance in people with PD. Methods A total of 23 individuals with PD, in both off (PDOFF) and on (PDON) medication states, and 30 healthy older adults (control group [CG]) performed unobstructed walking and obstacle avoidance conditions. Cortical activity was acquired through a combined functional near-infrared spectroscopy electroencephalography (EEG) system, along with gait parameters, through an electronic carpet. Prefrontal cortex (PFC) oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO(2)) and EEG absolute power from FCz, Cz, and CPz channels were calculated. Results HbO(2) concentration reduced for people with PDOFF during obstacle avoidance compared with unobstructed walking. In contrast, both people with PDON and the CG had increased HbO(2) concentration when avoiding obstacles compared with unobstructed walking. Dopaminergic medication increased step length, step velocity, and beta and gamma power in the CPz channel, regardless of walking condition. Moreover, dopaminergic-related changes (ie, on-off) in FCz/CPz gamma power were associated with dopaminergic-related changes in step length for both walking conditions. Conclusions PD compromises the activation of the PFC during obstacle avoidance, and dopaminergic medication facilitates its recruitment. In addition, PD medication increases sensorimotor integration during walking by increasing posterior parietal cortex (CPz) activity. Increased gamma power in the CPz and FCz channels is correlated with step length improvements achieved with dopaminergic medication during unobstructed walking and obstacle avoidance in PD. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/21499-1 - Brain cortical activity during human locomotion: Influence of aging, Parkinson's disease and acute physical exercise
• Grantee: Lilian Teresa Bucken Gobbi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/19845-1 - Electroencephalographic signal analysis in locomotion studies
• Grantee: Lilian Teresa Bucken Gobbi
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• FAPESP's process: 14/22308-0 - The effects of Parkinson's disease on electroencephalography recordings during free walking and obstacle crossing
• Grantee: Rodrigo Vitório
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral